Access Health CT Announces Open Enrollment Beginning Nov. 1

 

Opportunity to shop for on-exchange healthcare coverage begins November 1st, 2016 and ends January 31st, 2017

Access Health CT leaders Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, board chair, and James Wadleigh, CEO, today announced the start of the fourth annual Open Enrollment period. 2017 Open Enrollment begins Tuesday, November 1 and continues until January 31, 2017.

“Starting tomorrow consumers can shop for and enroll in affordable healthcare coverage through our state’s exchange, Access Health CT,” said Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman. “Consumers can explore plan options and find information online, on the phone, and in person all across the state. We want consumers to understand their healthcare plan options.”

Open Enrollment is the time period during which customers can shop for and enroll in health insurance plans for the upcoming year.

“The sooner customers enroll, the better.  To have coverage beginning January 1, 2017, consumers have to enroll by December 15. Signing up by December 15 means you’ll have coverage at the start of the new year, and no gaps,” said AHCT CEO James Wadleigh, “We’re trying to help people avoid any gaps in coverage, and most importantly avoid having to pay the penalty for not having coverage.” 

AHCT staff encourages customers to prepare as much as possible before enrolling, including gathering documents and reviewing their options. The following documents are required to enroll in a healthcare plan through AHCT:

•          Social Security numbers
•          Visa, green card or other immigration documents
•          Most recent tax return
•          Employer Information
•          Current insurance coverage

Proper documentation is important, because it determines a consumer’s eligibility for financial help. “Many of our consumers qualify for financial help, and many more residents would qualify, but instead they buy directly from an insurance company – and miss out on the opportunity for financial assistance,” said Wadleigh.

AHCT provides many ways for customers to enroll in healthcare, with options in-person, over the phone, and online.  People can find this information in the following ways:

•          Online at learn.accesshealthct.com
•          By phone at 1-855-805-HEAL (1-855-805-4325) |    TTY: 1-855-789-2428
•          Visit an AHCT storefront in New Britain or New Haven
•          Visit a Community Enrollment Partner in East Hartford, Norwich or Stamford
•          Talk to a Certified Application Councilor (CAC) at one of our community partners including hospitals, health advocacy groups and local community support centers

The Access Health CT call center will be open during Open Enrollment Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

“We want consumers to be able to access any help they may need, and provide options for them to do so. Whether you live in Norwich, Hartford, or Bridgeport, there are options provided to get the help you need to enroll in healthcare coverage,” added Wadleigh